Alaska's Avalanche Detection System Saves Time, Money

0:00Alaska's transportation department is using cutting-edge sensors to spot avalanches before they block key highways. These devices pick up low-frequency sounds from sliding snow and send instant alerts to managers' phones, even in the middle of heavy storms. The main focus is the seward highway south of Anchorage, which runs under 200 avalanche paths. Earlier this week, the system caught activity above Juno's Thane Road. Those closed it preventively and sure enough, and avalanche came down shortly after. They also monitored the seward highway near Bird Point, helping crews decide winter shut down roads based on real-time data and weather. Drivers and maintenance teams stand to gain the most, with fewer surprise slides and shorter closures. No more routine drives into debris fields during storms. This cuts risks that have caused thousands of hours of disruption statewide this winter alone. Alongside detection, their testing propane blasts from trailer mounted tubes and drones to trigger safe avalanches remotely.

1:00These replace old howitzer cannons and risky helicopter drops, all backed by a $1,100,000 federal grant. Forecasters now spot more events, too, refining their predictions. Plants call for wider rollout to passes like Thompson and Etigun, plus app alerts and auto gates, making Alaska roads tougher against winter's worst. That wraps Anchorage News today. Brought to you with AI.